As the Cleveland Cavaliers surge through the Eastern Conference toward a top playoff seed, they have amassed numerous achievements and accolades.
Following a thrilling victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Cavs secured the first guaranteed postseason spot with an impressive 47-10 record. With 25 games remaining, they continue to raise the bar in the conference. Their dominance has already been recognized, with three players earning All-Star selections—six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, two-time All-Star Darius Garland, and first-time All-Star Evan Mobley all making the trip to San Francisco for the break.
Last season, the All-Star break marked a downturn for Cleveland, as injuries and illness—particularly Mitchell falling sick—derailed their playoff form. This time around, the Cavs have come back stronger, winning all three games since the break and extending their streak to seven straight victories.
With every player stepping up and a key trade at the deadline, Cleveland is emerging as a powerhouse in the NBA. As the regular season winds down, their dominance could translate into recognition in the end-of-season awards.
However, despite Cavs fans’ hopes, Mitchell is unlikely to be an MVP finalist. While he remains the team’s centerpiece, the contributions of Garland and others, along with coach Kenny Atkinson’s system reducing his minutes, have kept his stats below those of the leading MVP contenders.
Even so, if the season ended today, three Cavaliers would be strong candidates for individual awards.
Kenny Atkinson is undoubtedly Coach of the Year
The NBA Coach of the Year award isn’t just given to the coach of the best team—it often goes to someone who has exceeded expectations and elevated their roster beyond what was anticipated. That’s why former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff is once again in the conversation, having revitalized the Detroit Pistons with key offseason additions.
Similarly, JJ Redick is a strong contender after turning a struggling Los Angeles Lakers squad into a dark horse Finals threat.
However, no coach has outperformed Kenny Atkinson this season. Not only has he taken the Cavaliers beyond any preseason predictions, but he has also transformed a largely unchanged roster into the best team in the league. Under Bickerstaff, Cleveland had a mediocre offense and struggled to maximize its bench. Atkinson changed that from day one, crafting the NBA’s top-ranked offense and getting significant contributions from both starters and reserves.
The Cavaliers opened the season with a franchise-record 15-game win streak—an achievement that alone warrants Atkinson’s place among the finalists. But more importantly, his strategic offensive sets and commitment to player development have turned Cleveland from a team reliant on one star into a powerhouse led by an All-Star trio.
Rival teams have started taking notes, trying to replicate Cleveland’s blueprint after years of assuming the core four would eventually be broken up—a notion even some Cavs fans believed. Atkinson has reshaped this team for the better and silenced all doubts in the process.
He’s the best coach in the NBA this season, and it’s not even close.
Evan Mobley must be the DPOY
Every analyst, fan, and awards voter recognizes that if Victor Wembanyama stays healthy, he’s likely to collect multiple Defensive Player of the Year trophies throughout his career. While the San Antonio Spurs still have a long way to go defensively, Wembanyama’s presence alone has kept them from being even worse.
However, a shocking and unfortunate announcement revealed that the French sensation will miss the rest of the season due to blood clots. With Wembanyama out, the DPOY race has opened up, with Evan Mobley and Jaren Jackson Jr. emerging as the top contenders.
Jackson, who won the award two seasons ago, is facing off against Mobley once again, but this time, Mobley is the clear choice. While their raw stats may seem comparable, Jackson’s inefficiency, struggles with rebounding, and persistent foul trouble make him a defensive liability at times.
Per 36 minutes, Jackson averages 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 4.2 fouls, while Mobley puts up 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and only 2.0 fouls—despite playing just 30 minutes per game. Mobley is outproducing Jackson with less playing time, and after a dominant showing against Memphis, where he outclassed Jackson on both ends, the debate should be settled.
Advanced metrics only reinforce Mobley’s case. Simply put, anything Jackson does defensively, Mobley does better. Unlike the Grizzlies, the Cavaliers don’t have to worry about their defensive anchor getting into foul trouble—Mobley averages just 0.67 fouls every 10 minutes, while Jackson racks up 1.17 in the same span. Jackson’s foul issues have been a consistent problem throughout his career, and with Mobley matching or surpassing his impact in fewer minutes and with far better discipline, the outcome of this race should be clear.
Evan Mobley is the rightful Defensive Player of the Year—bias or not.
Ty Jerome is the league’s best Sixth Man
After acquiring Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner De’Andre Hunter, the Cleveland Cavaliers may now have the league’s two best candidates for the award. However, since Hunter spent most of the season with the Atlanta Hawks and could soon transition into a starting role, Cleveland’s top contender remains Jerome.
At times, Jerome is the most electrifying player on the court. His fearless shooting, crafty floaters, and creative finishing give glimpses of the NBA’s elite guards. One moment, he resembles an off-brand Luka Dončić; the next, he channels a budget-version Stephen Curry, pulling up from ranges that would make most coaches cringe—especially from a bench player.
Watching Jerome play, it’s hard to explain how he makes it work. His jumper has a shot-put-like release, and his vertical leap is reminiscent of Shaquille O’Neal during his brief Cavaliers stint. Yet, when Jerome is locked in, every shot seems destined to drop.
Cleveland’s spark plug is delivering 11.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in just 19.2 minutes per game. He’s hitting an elite 43.7% from deep on 3.5 attempts per game, making him not only a sharpshooter but also a defensive disruptor and a crucial piece in the Cavaliers’ championship puzzle.
Despite his impact, Jerome has slipped out of the media’s 6MOY discussions. However, finding a bench player more valuable to their team’s success is no easy task.
From a fan’s perspective, the Cavaliers seem to have a case for every award. Some might even argue that Jaylon Tyson deserves Rookie of the Year, especially given this draft class’s underwhelming performances. Beyond individual accolades, Cleveland’s All-Stars are performing at an All-NBA level, while both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen should be locks for All-Defensive teams.
As the season winds down, the Cavaliers deserve their recognition. And if the rest of the league isn’t paying attention yet, they better start—because Cleveland might not stop collecting trophies once June arrives.
